Tributes paid to Apple 'visionary'

Flags flew at half-mast at Apple's operations around the world as the company mourned the death of co-founder Steve Jobs.

Fans of the company paid tribute to the man who changed the way they listen to music, use their mobile phones and play on their computers.

At Apple's headquarters - located at 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California - bagpipes sounded to the tune of "Amazing Grace" as people placed flowers around a white iPad with a picture of Mr Jobs, who died yesterday at 56, after a battle with cancer.

Mourners flocked to Apple stores from New York to Hong Kong, while a crowd gathered in San Francisco's Mission Dolores Park for an iPhone-lit vigil.In Cork, where Apple employs more than 2,000 people at its distribution, supply chain and back office operation, flags were lowered to half-mast. In Dublin, one of the main Apple sellers CompuB carried a simple tribute to Mr Jobs in its window.

Mr Jobs, counted among the greatest chief executives of his generation, died yesterday after a long and public battle with cancer.

The man who gave the world the iPod and the iPhone resigned as chief executive of the world's largest technology corporation in August, handing over to current chief executive Tim Cook.

US president Barack Obama was among the many who paid tribute to Jobs, describing him as a visionary and great American innovator.

"The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented," Mr Obama said.

"The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come," said Microsoft co-founder and long-time rival, Bill Gates.

"For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor."

Taoiseach Enda Kenny paid tribute to his "creative genius" and "innovative prowess".

"His legacy will be not just his products and business achievements, but also the way in which he altered mindsets in the business world and in everyday life," Mr Kenny said.

Mr Jobs, who fought a rare form of pancreatic cancer, was deemed the heart and soul of a company that now rivals Exxon Mobil as the most valuable in America.

Mr Jobs' death was announced by Apple in a statement late yesterday.

"Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve," Apple said in a statement announcing his passing.

"His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

Agencies